Diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education institutions is one of the only ways that people in marginalized communities are guaranteed to be included in important conversations. Historically, many colleges often would not admit people who weren’t straight white men before they were forced to by the government.
Recently, Republican legislators pressured Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly into signing a bill that would force Kansas’ higher education board to adopt anti-DEI policies. As a result, large amounts of money will be withheld from public universities that don’t comply with these new policies.
It can be hard to blame these universities for adopting these new policies, but that still doesn’t make it right. Universities that value diversity shouldn’t give up on these initiatives the second the government threatens to withhold funding for wanting to give all students equal opportunities.
The argument conservative lawmakers have made around these policies is that DEI in itself is discriminatory, but there has never been a time in American history that straight white men have faced any type of discrimination.
The oppression of straight white men is imaginary, but it is also the main focus of most far-right agendas.
These anti-DEI policies will make it significantly harder for students to get the education they deserve. America has started to make progress toward creating a country where people all have equal opportunities, and getting rid of DEI programs and policies will completely destroy all of that progress.
Republicans often think that DEI makes it harder for people who “actually deserve” to get into college or get a job. This argument is used to mask the racist and sexist values they hold. A lot of Republicans simply just don’t think it’s possible or “right” for anyone who isn’t a straight white man to be able to hold a position of power — or at least they don’t think they should.
It’s important for everyone to have access to higher education because it opens up so many career opportunities that wouldn’t be attainable without a degree. Having a diverse campus is also important because being sheltered from other cultures creates closed-minded people.
If states continue to adopt anti-DEI policies, there will only be opportunities for a small group of people, and those people will not be exposed to anything different than what they are used to. If straight white men can’t understand the perspectives of minorities in our country, oppression will continue to get worse.
Without the incentives DEI programs offer colleges, there likely will be only one type of person who will have the opportunity to get a good education. America has been built on the foundations of racist laws, policies and programs, and there is a good chance that without these programs, the only people who will continue to hold positions of power are those who want to oppress minorities.
Diversity could be what makes America great, if lawmakers would only see that.
